Letter-file



Patent-ed Nov. 2, 1886.

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N, PETERS, PhMo-Lilhogrqphur, Walhington. D. C.

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELROY N. HEATH, OF WAKEFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

LETTER-Fl LE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 351,979, dated November 2, 1886.

Application filed June 27, 1885.

lid and a divisional index-table applied thereto, each division of. said index-table containing combinations or groups of letters and a numeral, of a body of loosely-bound stepped index-leaves corresponding in number with the divisions in the index-table and placed with in the box or holder, each leaf having a numeralm'arked upon its stepped portion, and

. having combinations or groups of letters marked upon its face in proximity to the stepped portion which shall be a duplication of the combination or group of letters marked upon the particular division of the index table to which its number corresponds, substantially as will be described; also, in the combination, with a box or holder having a lid and a divisional index-table, of a body of stepped index-leaves, each leaf having indices marked upon its face which shall be apduplication of the particular division of the index-table to which its number corresponds, and of indices marked upon its under side which shall be a duplication of theindices upon the face of succeeding leaf; also, in other combination of elements to be hereinafter specified.

Figure 1 represents in plan view a box or holder opened to show the index-table and the body of indexed leaves within. Fig. 2 shows the body of indexed leaves removed from the box; Fig. 3, an end view of Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 a modification to be referred to.

The body of index-leaves a consists in this instance of several sheets of 'paper superimposed and fastened together loosely by abinder, b, which consists of a continuous piece of wire, bent as shown in dotted line, Fig. 3, and of suitable length to permit the leaves to rise Serial No. 169,969. (No model.)

upon the binder when letters or other sheets are being placed between the leaves.

The index-leaves a are cut away or stepped at their outer edge, as at a, such stepped portions having numerals printed thereon; but it is obvious that any other arbitrary symbol may be substituted instead. Each leaf of the body of index-leaves a. is also provided with an index, (1, preferably placed off against its numeral or stepped portion, such index comprising the letters or combinations of letters desired, in this instance comprising the first two or first three letters of a name or title.

In filing letters it frequently happens that the leaves twist or curl somewhat, and the letters project sufficiently to cover the index (1, and to guard against such difficulty I have printed or marked upon the under side of each leaf or body of leaves a, and preferably at or near the margin, an index, 0, which is a duplicate of the index printed upon the face of the succeeding leaf.

The leaves a, bound and indexed as described, 7

are placed within a box or holder, f, (see Figs. 1 and 3,) shown as of rectangular shape. The box f is provided at one side with a lid, 9, and at its end with a cover, h. (See Fig. 3.) An index-table, t, is applied to the under face of the lid g, (see Fig. 1,) said table showing divisionsone for each page of the body of indexed leaveseach division having printed or marked upon it a numeral or symbol to designate the particular page to which it refers, and also a duplication of the indices that may be found upon the page to which it refers. The combinations of letters at either end of the table may be prominent, while the intervening ones are somewhat smaller to afford a further safeguard against errors.

It will be seen that as I preferably employ the first two or first three letters of a name or title as an index-symbol by compiling a table wherein the first letter of the alphabet is coupled with each letter of the alphabet consecutively, all the combinations liable to occur at once are before the eyes of the user, and possible errors avoided.

In using the apparatus the lid 9 is opened, thus exposing to View the divisional indextable, and also the body of indexed leaves.

The first two or three letters of the name or title up on the letter to be filed are read from the indcxtable, and the numeral observed in the division designating the leaf above which the letter is to be placed. When the leaves are opened, if it be at the proper place, duplicate indices marked upon the face of the leaf and upon the under side of the previous leaf will confirm the selection of the number.

By applying an indcx-table to a lid, as de scribed, it is always exposed to the view of the user, whereas if an index-table be applied to the body of indexed leaves as, for instance, upon the outside pageit will be concealed when letters are being filed, causing the user to turn back for each letter.

this modification the index-table may be omitted.

I claim-- 1. The combination, with a box or holder having the lid 9 and a divisional index-table applied to the said lid 9, each division of said index-table containing combinations or groups of letters and a numeral, of a body of looselybound stepped index-leaves corresponding in number with the divisions in the index-table and placed within the box or holder, each leaf having a numeral marked upon its stepped portion, and having combinations or groups of letters marked upon its face in proximity to the stepped portion which shall be a duplication of the combination or group of letters marked upon the particular division of the index-table to which its number corresponds, all substantially as described.

2. The combination, with the box or holder having a lid, g, and-a divisional index-table, of a body of stepped index-leaves, each leaf having indices marked upon its face which shall be a duplication of a particular division of the index-table to which its number corresponds, and of indices marked upon its under side which shall be a duplication of the indices upon the faee of the succeeding leaf, all suliistantially as described.

3. A tile for filing letters, consisting of a body of stepped index-leaves, each leaf having upon its face indices and upon its under side a duplication of the indices marked upon the face of the succeeding page, the stepped portions each having upon their faces a duplication of the first combination or group of the indices marked upon the face of its leaf, all substantially as described.

In testimonywhercof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ELROY N. ATH. 

